LAPD officer killed, second injured in crash

A Los Angeles police officer was killed and another seriously injured when their squad car collided with a big rig

Associated Press

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. — A veteran Los Angeles police officer was killed and his rookie partner was critically injured Friday when their patrol car collided with a big rig on a residential street. The truck driver also was injured.

The Hollywood division officers were responding to a call of unknown trouble when the "catastrophic" collision occurred, Police Chief Charlie Beck said.

The circumstances of the 8 a.m. crash in an area of narrow, curving residential streets were under investigation, and police hadn't released the names of those involved.

Beck said the injured officer and the truck driver will survive.

The male officer who was killed had served for a decade and was "extremely well-respected," Beck said.

The injured partner, a woman, graduated from the police academy just three months ago, Beck said.

"She's strong and she's going to make it through this," said Mayor Eric Garcetti, who ordered city flags lowered to half-staff to honor the deceased officer.

"We grieve a hero this morning, an officer who gave his life in the service of Los Angeles," Garcetti said.

Beck said the truck was hauling a trash container and also carried a loader.

Although the crash site at Robert Lane and Loma Vista Drive is in the city of Beverly Hills, it is immediately adjacent to sections of Los Angeles. The area is close to the landmark Greystone Mansion, a 1920s estate built by an oil tycoon.

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